Center store arrangement for retail markets

ABSTRACT

A shelving layout concept which allows selective configuration and reconfiguration of the orientation of certain shelving systems within the central portion of a store to create a PrimeZone area including an assembly of End Caps, Center Caps, Power Sets, Corner Boards, Hot Spots and Banner Boards, the combination of which provides a solution for enabling retailers to re-invigorate their Center Store, increase their vendor promotional revenue, and increase their in-store sales due to more favorable consumer response to greater promotional activity and the continuing change of product venues in key areas of the store layout. The concept also includes novel hardware which enables the reconfiguration of the shelving layout to accommodate vendors&#39; desire to change display schemes.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.14/475,243, filed Sep. 2, 2014, which application is a continuation ofU.S. application Ser. No. 13/431,927, filed Mar. 27, 2012, now U.S. Pat.No. 8,820,481, issued Sep. 2, 2014, which application claims the benefitof U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/468,050, filed Mar. 27, 2011, theentire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to retail store interior design,and more specifically to a novel and improved layout of the shelving andother means for holding and displaying goods for sale in a PrimeZoneportion of the central space of the store.

The present invention has broad applicability to many types of retailestablishments in which a wide variety of goods have historically beenplaced on long rows of parallel racks or shelves orderly arranged mostoften within a central portion of a large open room defined by exteriorwalls. In most cases, special purpose rooms or areas are positionedaround the central space and proximate the surrounding walls. Grocerystores selling packaged comestibles, household goods and other productsare an example of such establishment, but many other types of retailstores follow a similar pattern and as will be apparent to the reader,the present invention has broad applicability.

As generally illustrated in FIG. 1 of the present Drawing, a typicalgrocery store, schematically represented at 10, is usually configured toinclude four basic components; namely, a “Backroom” area 12 that isusually at the back of the store and used for the receiving and storageof product prior to its movement out to the display area; a “Front End”area 14, usually located at the front of the store close to the frontdoors 16 and often the area in which cash registers or other check outfacilities are positioned; a “Perimeter” area 18 that is sometimescalled the perishable perimeter because it typically includes the meat,seafood, produce, dairy, deli, floral, and bakery departments; and a“Center Store” area 20 in the center of the store and which typicallyincludes long rows of parallel shelving systems 22 wherein grocery,frozen and refrigerated products, health and beauty Aids, wine, liquor,and bulk items are displayed for sale. The shelving systems 22 aretypically comprised of a plurality of movable or non-movable shelvingunits 23 affixed together back-to-back and in series to form the severalrows of double-sided shelves shown in FIG. 1. Shelving units which areintended to be movable are often referred to as “gondolas”.

Alternatively, there are some retail store configurations that cominglethe various departments throughout the store due to store shell format,or for merchandising differentiation from other stores. For example, theproduce area normally located in the Perimeter area 16 may be positionedto replace all or part of a normal aisle shelving system and extend downthe middle of the center part of the store rather than along the insideperimeter of the store building. But even in such layouts, the producecases are typically arrayed in linear formats forming straight lineswithin the center of the store.

The Center Store area has traditionally been a difficult and boring areaof the store compared to the produce, deli and bakery sections becauseits long aisles of shelving usually do not stimulate the consumer topurchase other or more product than he or she came to buy.

The aisle spaces 24 are usually 5 to 7 feet in width, so as to allowshopping carts to pass, and the shelving systems can be as high as 86″.Most contemporary shelving systems include 7 or 8 shelves aligned andtied together in a row. Long rows of canned foods, packaged goods andglass doors with product in frozen and refrigerated cases normally donot stimulate consumers to spend more of their money in the store thanthey would normally spend to accommodate their needs.

Center Store aisles are typically viewed by consumers as shelf-linedwalk ways along which consumers can walk to find a product, put it intheir shopping cart or basket, and then move on to the next aisle toselect the next product on their shopping list. The consumer typicallydoes not linger or explore these aisles as they are more likely to do ina specialty cheese or bakery section.

When a traditionally configured new Center Store area is planned, theshelving layout is normally designed to incorporate one of the two majorbrands of linear shelving systems that lead the industry. These systemsare typically comprised of a plurality of discrete shelving or otherproduct display units that, once set in place, are almost never movedduring the lifespan of the store, unless there is a complete remodel ofthe establishment. The reasons these shelving systems are almost nevermoved is because they have historically not been designed to move, andthe normal practice of the retail industry has not been to move them.That is why nearly all Center Store shelving systems include shelvingunits, refrigerated units and product display cabinets are placed inlong parallel straight lines creating straight aisles for consumers towalk through.

Within the Center Store, a shopper expects to find all of the majorproduct categories including soups, pastas, condiments, paper goods,detergents, beverages, frozen foods, refrigerated foods, specialty andgourmet products, rice, beans, household products, bulk product, coffee,teas, snacks, etc., grouped together by type or category of product.

Promotional activity within the Center Store is usually limited tomaterials making special announcements connected to the shelves of theshelving systems and on-the-shelf promotion which includes tagspromoting the product, coupon dispensers, sampling dispensers,advertising signs and shelf talkers.

A consumer, upon entering an aisle with parallel positioned shelvingsystems extending on both sides thereof, is typically looking forspecific items and then moving on to the next aisle, and usually payslittle attention to advertising. It is thus a challenge for companiesmarketing Consumer Product Goods (CPG) to get the attention of theconsumer in such linear aisles.

Promotional activity within a store sometimes includes signage on thefloor at the entrance to an aisle, or perhaps banners extending acrossthe aisle overhead announcing a promotion. But these floor placed signsand overhead banners are usually not particularly effective because theyare not directly in the line of sight of the consumer walking throughthe aisle and thus not well focused on the product offerings on theshelves.

The most effective and highly coveted promotional locations within thetraditional Center Store are the 3 or 4 foot areas at the end of eachaisle in which transversely extending shelving or display cases 26 canbe positioned. These shelf end display facilities are called “End Caps”and can readily be seen by consumers from a distance as well as whenthey enter an adjacent aisle. In fact, it is fair to say that nearly allconsumers will see or at least glance at an End Cap product offering ofspecials and/or promotions by a CPG purveyor, or the store itself inpromoting its Private Label brands.

In fact, it is not unusual for CPG companies to pay significant sums ofmoney to the store for the right to display their products on an End Capfor a one or two week period. This is usually the case within the largernational chain stores wherein typical Center Store sales, on a nationalaverage, represent 66% of the total store sales. This can of course varydepending on the geographical location of the store.

However, Center Store sales have been declining for traditional grocerystore chains over the past 10 years or so, due to the intensecompetition from the large national and international discounters.Supermarkets simply cannot price-wise compete against the discounters onmany Center Store items, so have accepted this fact and have tried otherconcepts to promote their products. For example, many supermarkets havechosen to focus on the store Perimeter area wherein they feel they cancompete more favorably with the discounters. But most have experiencedlittle improvement.

As discussed above, supermarket design for the Center Store has been thesame for as long as there have been supermarkets, i.e., straight aisleswith straight rows of gondolas or fixed shelving holding the products,or straight rows of refrigerated or frozen food cases. Although thelarge vendors will pay for the privilege of having their productdisplayed at the end of the aisle on End Caps, where their product canbe easily seen by most anyone coming into the store, there are verylittle other areas of the store for these vendors to promote their itemsother than on the shelves. Only a few large vendors get the larger floorspace that allows for big displays to get the consumers attention. Butconsistent with the old saying “Stack it high and watch it fly”, thesecompanies pay dearly to have their products in such spaces.

Another concern is that branded vendors have always had to battle withthe stores over placement of product competing with the store's PrivateLabel brands. Private Label brands are normally sold for lower prices inthe store because most stores usually spend relatively little inmarketing the items. But some of the national CPG vendors havesignificant resources available for marketing and in-store promotion oftheir competing products, and thus find success even though theirproducts are usually higher in price than the Private Label products.

There is thus a need for a completely new and unique layout for theCenter Store area of a retail establishment; one that offers a radicaldeparture from traditional layouts for the Center Store, and one whichcreates more desirable space for all concerned to promote their products

There is also a need for a new and unique layout for the Center Storewhich, through sale of PrimeZone space to the larger vendors, creates anadditional profit center for the store.

There is in addition a need for a novel Center Store solution which addsflexibility to the shelving design so that the store can configure andreconfigure the shelving layout in a PrimeZone space to accommodate thepromotional needs of those vendors who are willing to pay a premium forthe privilege.

There is yet a further need for a design and layout that offersPrimeZone space for promotional signage within the Center Store which inthe past has been limited to off-the-shelf, floor or banners above theaisle signage; such solution providing yet another potential profitcenter for the store.

Still another need in the field of the present invention is theprovision of shelving and other display units mounted on glider devicesattached to the supporting leg posts of shelving units and the like,which enable movement, leveling and positional fixation for the units.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The present invention addresses the above stated needs by providing aradically new Center Store design and shelving layout concept whichallows selective configuration and reconfiguration of the orientation ofcertain shelving units and display systems within the central portion ofthe Center Store; herein referred to as the “PrimeZone”, so as to createa new assembly of additional End Caps, novel Center Caps, Power Sets.Triangular Corners, Hot Spots and Banner Boards, the combination ofwhich provides an ideal solution for enabling retailers to re-invigoratetheir Center Store, increase their vendor promotional revenue, andincrease their in-store sales due to more favorable consumer response togreater promotional activity and the periodic change of product venuesin key areas of the store layout. In addition, novel display unitsupporting hardware is provided which enables the convenientreconfiguration of the shelving layout to accommodate vendors desire tochange display schemes.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically illustrating in plan view atraditional Center Store shelving layout;

FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically illustrating in simplified plan view anovel Center Store shelving system layout creating a PrimeZone inaccordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIGS. 2a-2g are plan and elevational views illustrating the angledintersection of shelving units in a PrimeZone shelving system inaccordance with the present invention, and

FIG. 2h depicts two vertical support posts of the type used in manycommercially available shelving units, and a clamping style fasteningdevice used to fasten the two posts together in accordance with thepresent invention;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view further illustrating the improved CenterStore including a PrimeZone in accordance with the embodiment of thepresent invention generally shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating that which a consumer wouldsee standing at a position 4 as depicted in FIG. 3 and looking in thedirection of the associated arrow;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating that which a consumer wouldsee standing at a position 5 as depicted in FIG. 3 and looking in thedirection of the associated arrow;

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating that which a consumer wouldsee standing at a position 6 as depicted in FIG. 3 and looking in thedirection of the associated arrow;

FIG. 7 is a diagram schematically illustrating in plan view furtherdetails of the previously illustrated embodiment of a PrimeZone inaccordance with the present invention;

FIG. 8 is an exploded view showing the component parts of a novel gliderdevice for attachment to the legs of shelving units and other productdisplay systems to enable leveling and movement from one position toanother in accordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 9a and 9b are partially broken axial cross sectional viewsdepicting the assembled glider device of FIG. 8 and illustratingattachment thereof to the lower end of a shelving leg post or the like;

FIG. 10 is a simplified perspective view showing the glider device ofFIG. 8 affixed to the lower end of a shelving leg or the like inaccordance with the present invention;

FIGS. 11a and 11b are perspective and cross-sectional views illustratinga positional locking bracket for use with a glider device in accordancewith the present invention; and

FIGS. 12-17 are diagrams schematically illustrating in plan view severalalternative embodiments of PrimeZones in accordance with the presentinvention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As pointed out above, and as illustrated In FIG. 1 of the drawing, thetraditional Center Store includes a plurality of long parallel rows ofshelves and other product display units defining customer walking aislesformed between the rows of product display units.

In FIG. 2 of the Drawing, a Center Store arrangement 30 is depictedincluding an embodiment 32 of a PrimeZone in accordance with the presentinvention. The PrimeZone 32 is an area within the Center Store in whichat least some of the gondolas 41 and other product display units may bemobilized by gliders, disclosed below and affixed to the legs or bottomsthereof, so that the units can be selectively positioned and organizedin a designed arrangement, fastened together and locked into positionuntil a new design arrangement is desired, at which time the arrangementcan be unlocked and reconfigured without substantial inconvenienceand/or cost. It will be understood that the PrimeZone is normallyintended to be formed in a central portion of the Center Store, but canbe expanded to include any portion thereof.

The PrimeZone store layout differs from the traditional Center Storelayout in that it offers to CPG (Consumer Packaged Goods) vendorssignificantly more opportunity to effectively promote their productswithin the Center Store of a supermarket or other retail establishment.This is accomplished by allowing the store proprietor to work withproduct vendors to configure arrangements of gondolas (shelving units)and other product display units in ways that enable the vendor to betterdisplay and promote its products.

The PrimeZone 32 may be generally described as an area normally within acentral portion of the Center Store and having an improved arrangementof product display units and/or systems. The improved arrangement isaccomplished by (a) providing breaks in at least a first row and anadjacent second row of the usual plurality of long parallel rows ofproduct display units; (b) providing a first elongated product displayunit (or system including a plurality of display units) oriented to haveone end thereof disposed in engagement with an end of a display unit orsystem of the first row adjoining one side of the break in the firstrow, and having the length thereof extending at a first angle relativeto the length of the first row and toward the break in the second row;(c) by providing a second elongated product display unit (or systemincluding a plurality of display units) oriented to have one end thereofdisposed in engagement with another display unit or system of the firstrow adjoining the other side of the break in the first row, and havingthe length thereof extending at a second angle relative to the length ofthe first row and toward the break in the second row; and (d) byproviding means joining the other ends of the first and second elongateddisplay units (or systems) to form a first alcove-like Power Set areawithin and around which to display products. The joining means caninclude a simple connection mechanism, a single product display unit oran elongated, multiple unit product display system.

In addition, and as will be further discussed below, because of theunique configurability of the aisles and the flexibility of use of theshelving systems of the present invention, the PrimeZone design conceptoffers the opportunity to create an abundance of promotional areas andfeatures including the availability of additional End Caps 34, CenterCaps (described below), Power Set areas 36 and 38, Triangular Cornerunits and Corner Boards 40 (described below), Banner Boards (describedbelow), and Hot Spots (described below).

The new configuration and flexibility of the display units and aisleconfigurations, as defined in part by the angled positions of theseveral movable shelving systems, allows the provision of additional EndCaps in the PrimeZone as depicted at 34. The End Caps 34 are typically 3to 4 feet in width, 21 inches in depth and 7 feet high. An End Cap canbe a shelving unit with multiple shelves, a platform that allows theretailer to stack cases of product at the end of a row of shelvingunits, or a cooler/freezer unit, for example. End Caps are typicallyprovided at both ends of an aisle-defining shelving assembly (see 26,34), and are used primarily for promotional purposes, but sometimesinclude a refrigeration unit offering cold drinks, refrigerated foodsand/or other types of food products.

One of the advantages of a PrimeZone product display configuration, suchas that depicted in FIG. 2, is the ability to focus the consumers viewon particular products or groups of products as they enter and proceedalong an aisle. Instead of merely having only the open remote end of theaisle in their direct view, as in the traditional linear parallel aislesconfiguration depicted in FIG. 1, the PrimeZone design positions angledshelving units or other product display units 42, herein referred to asCenter Caps, to at least generally face customers as they enter anaisle.

Center Caps 42 consist of the one or more product display gondolas 41 orother product display units that form part of the systems 43 (shown bydashed lines as an assembly of six rectangles 42 in FIG. 2) that are, inaccordance with the present invention, positioned in angularrelationship relative to the traditional row of aisle-shelving to whichthey are joined. Thus, as a customer starts walking down the aisleacross which the Center Cap shelving angularly extends, he/she will beable to clearly see product and promotional materials that are displayedin, on and around the Center Cap unit.

Depending on the size of the store, and as depicted in the examplesshown in FIGS. 12-17, there can be multiple product display unitsangling across an aisle from one traditional row of shelving andextending toward or into and perhaps through a break in an adjacent rowof shelving that would otherwise define a long straight aisle of atraditional store layout. An angular relationship (usually of about 60degrees) of Center Cap systems 43 to a traditional row is offered hereinas an example, but it is to be understood that the actual angle ofshelving intersection to be chosen for a particular application can bevirtually any angle suited to the promotional activity and products tobe promoted or displayed. Center Cap systems are typically 4 to 16 feetin length (including one to four pairs of 48″ product display gondolas,coolers, etc.) depending on the size of the store and the promotionalactivity; but they can of course be made larger or smaller.

As depicted in the plan and elevational views of FIGS. 2a-2c , theangled intersection of the ends E1 and E2 (FIG. 2a ) of a shelvingsystem 43 (formed by a plurality of longitudinally aligned productdisplay units 41) with a traditional store row of display units 41′presents a triangular opening or cell within which a Triangular orTrapezoidal Corner unit 40 can be installed. In the illustrated example,the Corner unit 40 is of a trapezoidal configuration including fourvertical posts P and associated shelving typically disposed at levelscorresponding to the associated adjacent shelving units. In such case atriangular void “V” might be left in the space immediately there behindor it might include additional shelving. Alternatively, a five postTriangular Corner unit such as that illustrated in FIG. 2g could beused.

As will be described below, a plurality of clamps or other suitablefasteners are used to fasten the Corner unit to the posts of the severaladjacent product display units. Furthermore, as will also be describedbelow, vertically adjustable glider devices and positional tie-downbrackets may be affixed to the lower ends of the vertical posts P tofacilitate movement, leveling and tie-down of the gondolas.

It will be noted that in addition to providing extra shelf space, theTriangular Corners units can also serve as supports for promotionalsignage, as depicted in FIGS. 2c, 2e and 2f , or other marketing devicessuch as video screens, sound equipment, promotional literature, coupondispensers etc.

In FIGS. 2d-2e an alternative embodiment of a smaller Triangular Cornerunit 40″ is similarly illustrated for use in the case where the severalfront and back shelving units are longitudinally staggered relative toeach other. In such configuration, the Triangular Corner unit 40′ issmaller in frontal dimension than in the previously described embodimentbut is functionally similar. This arrangement likewise provides adisplay opportunity for shelf space and promotional signage, objects andmaterials.

FIG. 2g is a perspective view further illustrating the Triangular Cornerunit embodiment of FIGS. 2a-2c , and by extension, the embodiment ofFIGS. 2d-2f , The Corner units may include one or more shelves or framesfor supporting advertising display boards (Corner Boards) or posters.The Corner units may also include flat panel video display means topermit animated product display, product use demonstrations and consumerinteractive information panels or the like.

FIG. 2h depicts two vertical support posts P1 and P2 of the type used inmany commercially available shelving units, and a clamping stylefastening device C used to fasten the two posts together. The device Ccan take many forms but the illustrated two part clamp consisting offront and back members C1 and C2 secured together by a suitable screw orbolt B is considered ideal for the present application, because whenattached to only one set of adjacent shelving unit corner posts, itallows one of the units (or sets of units) to be rotated in positionrelative to the others to assume a different angle of intersectionbetween contiguous shelving systems.

As depicted in FIG. 2, the three sided Power Set areas 36 and 38 areformed by the illustrated two sets of shelving systems (including PowerSet units 35 and 37, and Center Cap units 44 and 48) angling toward andjoined to a third shelving system (including Power Set units 39 andCenter Cap units 46) that is disposed to extend parallel to an adjacentaisle on the other side of the third row of shelving units. The PowerSet/Center Cap shelving systems can have any of a variety ofconfigurations and can be located anywhere along the length of an aisle,but are usually positioned near the middle of a Center Store and help todefine the PrimeZone 32. Other examples are depicted below in FIGS.12-17 of the drawing.

Power Sets create a significant billboard effect partially surroundingand defining the Power Set areas (36, 38) and can be advantageously usedto the benefit of a CPG vendor. The ability to effectively promote,within a relatively small common area, several brands or relatedproducts owned by or represented by the vendor provides a powerfulpromotional advantage. The brands marketed within the Power Set areamight, for example, include refrigerated products as well as frozen andshelf stable products. Power Sets also allow the vender to displayproducts within the surrounding aisle space in either free standing formor other specific configuration, and to display promotionalmaterials/information on the area-framing pair of Corner units 40.

The underlying advantageous marketing concept is that a consumer will bedrawn into a Power Set area due to its configuration, and because itrepresents a “section” of promotional activity. A Power Set can includedisplay frontage as long as 24 feet or so in length including, forexample, nine four foot product display sections framed by CornerBoards, but the configuration can be of almost any size, composition andconfiguration.

Triangular Corner units 40 of the type illustrated do not currentlyexist in the traditional Center Store areas because the typical shelvingsystem layout is one of linear parallel rows of display units. Moreover,Triangular Corners exist in PrimeZone areas as a consequence of theunique relative positioning of the several shelving systems used todefine the PrimeZone. The Triangular Corner units provide greatopportunities for Corner Board advertising, sampling, couponing, or acombination of all the three, as well as other possibilities mentionedabove.

In addition to the angle of intersection of the product display units,the front width of the Corner unit is determined by whether the frontand back rows of shelving units are longitudinally aligned or staggeredrelative to each other. As pointed out above with respect to FIGS. 2a-2cwhich illustrate the aligned gondola example, and FIGS. 2d-2f whichdepict the staggered gondola configuration, the Triangular Corner unitsare typically 22″ to 44″ at the front and reduce to substantially zeroinches at the rear as both sides thereof converge on the cornerjunctions of the adjacent shelving units.

Hot Spots are focal point areas (see 50 and 52 in FIG. 7) within thePower Set areas and other open areas and are so called because of thestrong response of consumers to displays that are interruptive, largeand stacked high. There is a saying in the industry to the effect thatif you “Stack it high, it will fly”. Traditional positionings of floorstacks are typically found in the perimeter of the store and at aisleends, but never in Center Store as there is no place in an aisle forsuch displays. If such displays were used in the current shelvingschemes, they would block the aisles and interfere with the customers'use of the aisles. However, in the PrimeZone configuration, Hot Spots donot block an aisle, but do cause the consumer to take notice to a floorstack of products, a manufactured display promoting one or more brandsof products, and the products displayed on the surrounding shelves. HotSpots can be a little as 2 feet square or much larger depending on thesize of the Power Set area. The height of a Hot Spot is based on theparticular product and/or display, but typically would be 4 feet to 8feet high. Hot Spot units can also be used in other areas as describedbelow with respect to FIGS. 4, 6 and 7.

Turning now to FIGS. 3-6, perspective renderings are provided to presentthe actual look and feel of one embodiment of the present invention. Inthe overhead view of FIG. 3, the reader can readily identify andappreciate the details of the various components previously describedwith respect to the plan view of FIG. 2. The various elements and areasof this embodiment are labeled with the same call-out numbers used inFIG. 2. In FIG. 3, Hot Spot units within the Power Set areas 36 and 38are, for simplicity, depicted as stacks of nested tables but can takeany suitable form as pointed out above. Again for simplicity ofillustration, the Hot Spots 52 and 54 illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 7 arenot depicted in FIG. 3. Also not shown in FIG. 3, are the advantageouslocations for placement and display of Banner Boards (60-63 in FIG. 4).

FIG. 4 is a lower level view of the PowerZone components that wouldoccupy the visual attention of a customer entering the aisle and lookingin the direction of arrow 4 (FIG. 3). Note that the customer's attentionwill be quickly captured by promotional messages or products displayedon the remotely positioned End Caps 34 and the Triangular Corner units40. Products displayed on the Center Caps 42 and 48 would then come intofull view as he passes along the aisle and through the nearby End Caps33 on both sides of the aisle. This figure also illustrates 2 Hot Spotunits 52 and 54 which are not shown in FIG. 2 or 3 but which can bepositioned in the open spaces formed between the End Caps 33, 34 and therespective pairs of Triangular Corner units 40 as also depicted in FIG.7. In addition, this view illustrates in dashed lines several positionsfor placement of the overhead Banner Boards 60-63.

FIG. 5 is a lower level perspective view looking in the direction of thearrow 5 in FIG. 3 and showing the clear visibility of the Center Cap 42,and then the Corner unit 40 as the customer reaches the turn in theaisle.

FIG. 6 is a lower level perspective view looking in the direction of thearrow 6 in FIG. 3 and showing the Power Set area 36, the Hot Spot area50 and the clear visibility of the surrounding shelving systems 35, 37and 39. It should be kept in mind that any or all of the illustratedshelving systems could instead include refrigeration cabinets or otherforms of product display units. Note also that the nested tables 51occupying the Hot Spot area 50 could alternatively be replaced by anyproduct stack or product display structure.

FIG. 7 is a summarizing plan view similar to that of FIG. 2 butincluding representations of all of the PrimeZone components illustratedand discussed above with respect to FIGS. 2-6.

A PrimeZone in accordance with one embodiment of the present inventionmay be constructed of either proprietary or commercially availableshelving units. Current state of the art shelving suitable for use inembodiments of the present invention are typically fabricated of weldedstainless steel rod and tubular stock. Although such shelving units areavailable with casters, the casters utilized are not deemed suitable forthe present application because of the large caster wheel size.

To render non-wheeled shelving units movable among various designconfigurations it is desirable that low profile glider devices beprovided for attachment to the legs of the display units. Preferably,the glider devices should have a low profile so as to permit maximum useof the available shelf space, must be easily attachable to the shelving,must have a relatively broad footprint so as to avoid damaging thesupporting floor, must be adjustable in height to accommodate leveling,and must be durable and capable of supporting the expected heavy productloads. In addition, at least some of the glider devices must includemeans for securing the shelving units to the supporting floor.

A new design for a glider device is illustrated in the exploded view ofFIG. 8, the axial cross sections of FIGS. 9a and 9b , and theperspective view of FIG. 10. More specifically, the illustrated gliderdevice 70 is comprised of four basic components; namely, a cylindricalouter housing 72, a roller carrying plug-like component 74, a pluralityof roller balls 76 and an apertured, ball capture plate 78.

In the illustrated embodiment, the outer housing 72 is comprised of agenerally cylindrical sleeve-like unit having an internally threadedbore 82 extending axially therethrough, and a knurled or otherwisetextured band 80 press fit around its upper end to strengthen that endand facilitate manual rotation thereof about the plug 74. The outersurface may be provided with tool engageable flats 83 to facilitatevertical adjustment (leveling).

The plug-like component 74 preferably consists of a metal cylinder 84having external threads 86 formed on its outer cylindrical surface alongat least a mid-portion of its axial length; such threads being adaptedto be threadably engaged by the internal threads 82 in the bore ofsleeve 72. The axial length of plug 74 is preferably longer than theaxial length of the sleeve 72. Extending from the upper end of plug 74is a threaded stud 75 for use in attaching the device to the lower endof a display unit leg. As an alternative for use with those shelvingunits having tubular legs, an upwardly extending cylindrical bore,perhaps internally threaded, may be provided in the top of a lengthenedplug for matingly engaging a foot end of a shelving unit vertical post.

The lower end surface 90 of plug 74 is planar except for having aplurality of hemispherical bores, molded cavities or sockets 92 providedtherein in a circular array, and may include a single, like bore, cavityor socket 91 provided in the geometrical center of the array. Thediameters of the hemispherical sockets are chosen to be matinglycommensurate with the diameter of a plurality of roller balls 76 to beseated therein. A pair of tapped bores 89 are also provided in the endsurface 90.

The ball capture plate 78 is provided with a plurality of frusto-conicalor frusto-hemispherical apertures 93 axially aligned with the sockets91, 92. Plate 78 also includes at least two small bores 94 for receivingscrews or bolts 96 used to lockingly engage tapped bores 89 and securethe plate to the lower end of plug 74 to capture the balls 76 within therespective sockets but allow the lower portions of the balls to extendthrough the apertures 93 to engage a supporting surface.

Referring now to FIGS. 9a, 9b and 10, the assembly of the glider deviceand its mounting to the end of a leg or post of cylindrical orrectangular transverse cross section will be addressed. As depicted inFIGS. 9a and 9b , after the bearing balls 76 are positioned within thesockets 92 and captured therein by the apertured plate 78 and its screws96, the assembled plug is affixed to the lower end of the shelfsupporting post 100 by screwing the stud 75 into a tapped bore 98. Thesleeve 92 is then threaded onto the plug 74 until the roller balls 76are clear. At this point the glider device is fully functional toglidingly support the leg of the display unit.

As illustrated in FIG. 9b , those skilled in the art will appreciatethat by rotating the sleeve 72 in a particular direction about the plug74, the engagement of threads 82 and 86 will cause the sleeve to advancedownwardly into engagement with the floor and result in the balls 76 tobe lifted from engagement with the floor. Such action will negate thegliding function and may also be useful in lifting the leg to level thesupported shelving unit.

It will also be understood by those of skill in the art that with gliderdevices of the type described above secured to the legs of a shelvingunit, the unit may by conveniently moved from one position to another asthe balls 76 roll within their sockets. Moreover, in order to level thelegs on an uneven supporting surface, the sleeves may be rotated todrive them down the plug 74 and thus accomplish the leveling function.

In many jurisdictions, and particularly in those known to experienceearthquakes, building codes require that shelving and other heavyobjects be anchored to the floor. In accordance with the presentinvention such anchoring is facilitated by disposing an anchoringbracket 102 (FIG. 11a ) between the glider device 70 and the lower endof the shelving leg 100 as depicted in FIG. 11b . In this embodiment,the glider stud 75 is either passed through or threaded through a tappedaperture 104 as the stud is threaded into a tapped bore formed in theend of leg 100. A bolt or lag screw 106 can then be passed through anaperture 108 in the lower flange of the bracket 102 and threaded into asuitable sleeve 110 disposed in a bore formed in the floor. Note that inorder that the bracket 102 not interfere with the rolling use of theglider, the lower extremity of the lower flange must be positionedhigher than the ball bottoms. A washer of a suitable thickness willallow a secure engagement of the flange to the floor as the bolt 108 istightened.

FIGS. 12-17 are examples of alternative configurations of the shelvingsystems within the PrimeZone. The End Caps, Triangular Corners, PowerSets, Center Caps, Hot Spots, Center Cap Banners, Banner Boards andCorner Boards are identified as indicated in the legends.

It is to be understood that although the present invention has beendisclosed above with respect to particular exemplary embodiments, it maybe embodied in other forms without departing from the spirit, scope oressential characteristics thereof. The present embodiment is thereforeto be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive,the scope of the invention being indicated by the appended claims ratherthan by the foregoing description, and all changes which come within themeaning and range of equivalency of the claims are therefore intended tobe embraced herein.

What is claimed is:
 1. A store arrangement comprising: a plurality ofparallel rows of non-refrigerated product display systems includingshelving or other structures for displaying products, the plurality ofparallel rows including at least a first row having a first breaktherein defining a gap between co-linearly aligned portions of the firstrow, a second row having a second break therein defining a gap betweenco-linearly aligned portions of the second row, and a third row having athird break therein defining a gap between co-linearly aligned portionsof the third row, the second row being between the first row and thethird row; customer walking aisles formed by the rows of product displaysystems and comprising at least a first customer walking aisle and asecond customer walking aisle, the second row being between the firstcustomer walking aisle and the second customer walking aisle, at least aportion of the second break in the second row forming a passagewayconnecting the first customer walking aisle and the second customerwalking aisle; a first product display system having a first proximalend disposed at an end of the first break in said first row, the firstproduct display system having a first distal end extending at a firstangle relative to a length of said first row and toward the second breakin said second row; and a third product display system having a thirdproximal end disposed at an end of the third break in said third row,the third product display system having a third distal end extending ata third angle relative to a length of said third row and toward thesecond break in said second row; wherein the first product displaysystem and the third product display system are arranged so as to permitcustomer traffic between the first customer walking aisle and the secondcustomer walking aisle through said passageway of the second break inthe second row.
 2. A store arrangement comprising: a plurality ofparallel rows of non-refrigerated product display systems includingshelving or other structures for displaying products; customer walkingaisles formed by the rows of product display systems; a first breakformed in a first row of the plurality of rows and defining a gapbetween co-linearly aligned portions of the first row, the first breakhaving a first near end and a first far end from a perspective of acustomer entering a walking aisle adjacent the first row; a second breakformed in a second row of the plurality of rows and defining a gapbetween co-linearly aligned portions of the second row, the second breakhaving a second near end and a second far end; and a first near productdisplay system having a proximal end disposed at the first near end ofthe first break in said first row, the first product display systemextending at a first near angle relative to a length of said first rowand toward the second break in said second row, said first near productdisplay system being separated from a corresponding end of the secondbreak in said second row to form a passageway connecting (i) a customerwalking aisle disposed between said first and second rows and (ii) acustomer walking aisle disposed on an opposite side of the second row.3. The store arrangement of claim 2, wherein the first near productdisplay system is disposed so as to form a first center cap and/or so asto display at least some products displayed by the first near productdisplay system so as to generally face customers entering a customerwalking aisle between the first and second rows.
 4. The storearrangement of claim 2, further comprising: a first far product displaysystem having a proximal end disposed at the first far end of the firstbreak in said first row, the first far product display system extendingat a first far angle relative to the length of said first row and towardthe second break in said second row.
 5. The store arrangement of claim4, wherein the first near product display system comprises a distal endopposite the proximal end thereof, wherein the first far product displaysystem comprises a distal end opposite the proximal end thereof, andwherein the store arrangement further comprises a first structurejoining the distal ends of said first near and first far product displaysystems.
 6. The store arrangement of claim 5, wherein the firststructure comprises a first joining product display system having oneend thereof joined to the distal end of the first near product displaysystem and an opposite end thereof joined to the distal end of the firstfar product display system.
 7. The store arrangement of claim 5, whereinthe first structure is arranged with the first near and first fardisplay systems so as to form an alcove within which to display productsand/or so as to form a power set area within which to display products.8. The store arrangement of claim 7, wherein said first near productdisplay system is disposed so as to (i) form, on a side of the firstnear product display system opposite a side facing said Power Set areaand/or said alcove, a first center cap, and/or (ii) display, on the sideof the first near product display system opposite the side facing saidPower Set area and/or said alcove, at least some products displayed bythe first near product display system so as to generally face customersentering a customer walking aisle between the first and second rows. 9.The store arrangement of claim 2, further comprising an end cap disposedat the second near end of the second break and another end cap disposedat the second far end of the second break.
 10. The store arrangement ofclaim 2, further comprising an end cap disposed at the second near endof the second break, said end cap being separated from said first nearproduct display system by a distance at least as wide as a width of atleast one of the customer walking aisles.
 11. The store arrangement ofclaim 2, further comprising a first near corner unit comprising a firstside in engagement with the first near product display system, a secondside in engagement with the first near end of the first break in thefirst row, and a third side facing away from the second break.
 12. Thestore arrangement of claim 5, further comprising: a first near joiningcorner unit comprising a first side in engagement with the first meansjoining the distal ends of the first near and first far product displaysystems, a second side in engagement with the first near product displaysystem, and a third side facing away from the first break; and a firstfar joining corner unit comprising a first side in engagement with thefirst means joining the distal ends of the first near and first farproduct display systems, a second side in engagement with the first farproduct display system, and a third side facing away from the firstbreak.
 13. The store arrangement of claim 7, further comprising: (i) ahot spot display unit disposed within a central portion of said powerset area and/or alcove, and/or (ii) a product display system disposedbetween the first near end and the first far end of the first breakand/or disposed within the central portion of said power set area and/oralcove.
 14. The store arrangement of claim 2, further comprising atleast one banner board extending across a customer walking aisle that ispositioned between the first and the second rows.
 15. The storearrangement of claim 2, further comprising: a third break formed in athird row of the plurality of rows, the third break having a third nearend and a third far end; a fourth break formed in a fourth row of theplurality of rows, the fourth break having a fourth near end and afourth far end; and a fourth near product display system having aproximal end disposed at the fourth near end of the fourth break in saidfourth row, the fourth product display system extending at a fourth nearangle relative to a length of said fourth row and toward the third breakin said third row.
 16. The store arrangement of claim 15, wherein thethird row comprises the second row, the third break comprises the secondbreak, the third near end comprises the second near end, and the thirdfar end comprises the second far end.
 17. The store arrangement of claim15, wherein the third row is different from the second row, the thirdbreak is different from the second break, the third near end isdifferent from the second near end, and the third far end is differentfrom the second far end.
 18. The store arrangement of claim 17, wherein(i) the second and third rows are between the first and fourth rows;(ii) the first and fourth rows are between the second and third rows; or(iii) the second, third, and fourth rows are all on a same side of thefirst row.
 19. A store arrangement comprising: a plurality of rows ofnon-refrigerated product display systems including shelving or otherstructures for displaying products; a plurality of customer walkingaisles formed by the rows; a first row of the plurality of rows; a firstcustomer walking aisle of the plurality of customer walking aisles, thefirst customer walking aisle adjacent the first row; a hot spot displayor island positioned in the first customer walking aisle; a second rowof the plurality of rows, the second row also adjacent the firstcustomer walking aisle, the second row including a first product displaysystem, a second product display system, a third product display system,and a fourth product display system arranged so that: the second productdisplay system and the third product display system are positionedbetween the first product display system and the fourth product displaysystem; the first product display system and the fourth product displaysystem generally face the first row; the second product display systemis angled away from the first row so as to at least partially face thehot spot display or island; and the third product display system isangled away from the first row and toward the second product displaysystem so as to at least partially face the second product displaysystem and at least partially face the hot spot display or island.